समिधाऽग्निं दुवस्यत घृतेन वर्धयतामग्निम्। उरुगायमुपस्तृणीध्वम्॥
samidhā'gniṃ duvasyata ghṛtena vardhayatāmagnim। urugāyamupastṛṇīdhvam॥
Study Guide: Consecration of the Sacred Fire
Act 1
Act I: Nourishing the Flame of Consciousness
Verses 1, 2
तस्मिन् द्युम्नमधि धत्त विश्वस्मिन्त्सुनेत्रे। अग्नावुक्थसमिध्यते॥
tasmin dyumnamadhi dhatta viśvasvintsunetre। agnāvukthasamidhyate॥
📖 Immersive narrative, word breakdowns, and spiritual context
In this opening sequence of Adhyāya 1, section 14, the Yajurveda establishes the fundamental mechanics of Vedic sacrifice. The ritualist is called upon to actively participate in the cosmic order by tending to Agni—not merely as a physical flame, but as the divine mediator between mortals and immortals. The use of 'samidh' (fuel) and 'ghṛta' (ghee) symbolizes the offering of our dense material tendencies and pure emotional clarity into the transformative fire of inner awareness.
💭 Flowing Translation
Verse 1: Serve Agni with fuel and ghee, preparing the sacred space for divine descent.
Verse 2: Bestow supreme splendor upon the all-leading divine fire.
📝 Scholar's Reading Note
Literally, these verses pertain to the technical arrangement of the fire altar and the feeding of wood. Symbolically, as expounded by commentators like Sri Aurobindo, Agni represents the immortal flame of aspiration seated within the secret cave of the heart, which must be continuously fed with purity and devotion.
📚 Word-by-Word Breakdown
Verse 1
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| समिधा | samidhā | with fuel |
| अग्निम् | agnim | Agni |
| घृतेन | ghṛtena | with clarified butter |
Verse 2
| Devanāgarī | IAST | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| द्युम्नम् | dyumnam | splendor or wealth |
| अग्नौ | agnau | in Agni |
| सुनेत्रे | sunetre | good leader |
🧠
Memory Hook
Fuel and ghee feed Agni's flame; splendor follows the divine leader.